p. 46 | SUPPOSE by Sel.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 8, 1877

SUPPOSE

By Sel.

“Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in My hand, O house of Israel.” “And the vessel that He made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter.” Jer. 18:6, 4.

Suppose a lump of senseless clay, While in the potter’s hand, should say: “Now, potter, try on me your skill, And fashion me what form you will.”

Then, with a master’s cunning art, He molds in shape each separate part, Till, ’neath his fingers’ deft control, He views the finished, perfect whole,

And says: “My skill I have essayed, A goodly vessel thou art made; But to retain thy perfect shape, Thou must the fiery process take.”

Yet, when within the oven laid, All heated, as the potter said, The clay no longer passive lies, But quickly to the potter cries,

“Come hither, quick, for mercy’s sake, And me from out this oven take; I said I would be fashioned, turned, But did not bargain to be burned.”

Obedient to this stern demand, The Potter reaches forth his hand; A lump of clay—all incomplete— Again it falleth at his feet!

Just such, my child, is thy desire, Thou wouldst be formed, but not by fire; Thou wouldst the perfect image take, The fiery ordeal yet forsake.

Now, from this truth a lesson learn, And when the flames around thee burn, Just think who knoweth best, I pray, The Potter, or the senseless clay! —Sel.